The grant will fuel the development of education/training curriculum and student academic/career coaching, which targets certificate and degree programs specific to the needs of agriculture, energy and health industries. These industry-focused, employer-driven programs are designed to increase college completion rates and provide job opportunities to the C3T participants.

"Steven brings a variety of economic workforce development experience that spans both government and private sectors," said Scott Murakami, director of workforce development for the University of Hawai'i Community Colleges. "The range of industries in which he has worked provides an excellent foundation for ensuring the success of this grant."

Lee has over 30 years of experience in the fields of economic development and marketing, most of which were spent as an economic development specialist at the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT). At DBEDT, Lee served in various leadership roles including acting chief officer of the creative industries division, business manager of the investment and business analysis branch, and business manager of the film production tax credit program. He also worked six years in marketing and economic development positions at the Hawai‘i State Department of Agriculture and for the aquaculture development program. Prior to his state service, Lee worked for Procter and Gamble Distribution Company and a local, private distribution firm.

Lee has served on the boards of the Hawai‘i Capital Cultural Coalition, Hawai‘i High Technology Corporation, Aloha Tower Development Authority, and the Air Cargo Association of Hawai‘i, as well as the Workforce Development Council and planning groups for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and the STEM Leadership committee.

Lee has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.